President's Letter

Dear League Members,

We are ending the year with a flurry of exciting events. For the past few months, we have focused on getting to know each other better through some League-only meetings, but now it’s time to turn open the doors to some public discussion! We will host a forum with Board of Education members in May, and in June, Senator Blumenthal will be our Annual Meeting speaker.

The Members’ Roundtable was a great way for us to engage in discussion in a personal setting, and there are a number of public policy issues that people are eager to explore. One of the great benefits of coming to League events is to interact with a diverse group of women, and get to know people that we might not otherwise in our normal patterns of life.

The League makes no demands on its members beyond its dues requirements, and some members do choose to simply support us in that way. But, for anyone looking for an involvement with interesting people and interesting issues, whether it’s on an occasional or a sustained basis, then League activities are something you should consider.

Thank you to the Board members who have so diligently given of their time to make our work function so smoothly. I am privileged to have served with such thoughtful, dynamic women.  As we look to the year ahead, if anyone is interested in working on a committee, then please let us know.

Jane Himmel

Know Your Reps

Anne Ward, board chair for our 2011 Edition of New Canaan's Know Your Representatives brochure, reminds League members that if they have not received their copy in the mail they may obtain a copy at the library, the First Selectman's office and the Town Clerk's office. The League would like to thank Susan Smith for her wonderful job of typing and formatting this ever changing document. Additional thanks go to Kate Hurlock this year who solicited aid from her brother in law to create a sharper look for the KYR design.

Public Forum with BOE Members

We’re hosting a public forum entitled “Defining Success in our School System: An Interactive Discussion with Board of Education Members” on Tuesday, May 17th, 7:30 p.m. in the Wagner Room at the high school.

Audience members will have an opportunity to submit questions. At the BOE’s own meetings, members of the community have an opportunity for public comment, but not for Board members to answer these questions during the meeting, due to governing regulations.

This forum will allow the public to learn about current priorities, issues and challenges, and to gain an understanding of how our elected officials view their position and their responsibilities as the stewards of education in New Canaan. The League is proud to sponsor this opportunity for community conversation.

Hospitality Chair, Sara Hunt, has asked that if anyone can bring some refreshments to the May 17 meeting, such as fruit platter, cheese and crackers, appetizers, or cookies or brownies, it would be appreciated.  Refreshments can be delivered to the Wagner Room after 6:30 p.m.  If anyone would like to volunteer to help put out the refreshments and clean up, that would be welcome, too.  Please call or email Sara at 966-3313, or skhminky@optonline.net to sign up.

Senator Richard Blumenthal to Speak at Our Annual Meeting

Our newest U.S. Senator will be the speaker at our Annual Meeting, to be held on Wednesday, June 1st. Guests are welcome and encouraged! The event will take place at the Country Club of New Canaan. The meeting will precede the luncheon. Please look for specific times in the meeting call that will be mailed in May.

Members’ Roundtable: a Recap

About 20 members gathered at Kathryn Tohir’s house for quiche and conversation. Everyone presented ideas for exploring through study groups or programming.

Our Board members will get to work on defining ways for us to look at least a few of the issues below, and they welcome volunteers to serve on committees.

If you did not respond to the email survey sent earlier, there's still time to respond.  Please pick the top four issues that are most important to you from this list:

State budget
Term limits
Education
Groundwater quality
Home energy conservation and sources
Town energy supply
Abortion rights
Open space management
Stress

There was one proposed study: How effective is New Canaan's recycling? What do other towns do? Are there improvements that should be made in the way our town and our residents reduce, reuse and recycle solid waste?

Are you interested in having the League study this? Are you interested in learning more about joining such a study group?

We also identified some existing positions that can be acted upon. Sue Stone will be doing some education in the community about the importance of sleep, for example, and would welcome people to work with her if anyone finds this of interest.

Email me with your ideas: jhims@earthlink.net

We’re on Facebook!

Search for League of Women Voters of New Canaan to find us, and help us spread the word about our events.

Membership Update

Attention! Attention!

Please welcome these new members to our League and encourage them to come join all activities!
Emily Kelting 256 Mill Road 972-3391, ekelting@great_scapes.com
Karen Ferguson, 12 Weeburn Drive, 966-7041, ferguson_karen@yahoo.com
Eileen Boyd, 37 Strawberry Hill Road, 971-2128, eiboyd@optonline.net
Ann Brickley, 676 Laurel Road 972-0021, ann@ahblawoffice.com
Kathy Schulte, 38 Danvers Lane, 972-8590, c: 203 979-9986
Valerie Rosenberg, 301 Old Norwalk Road, 203 972-0754, valerie.maria@yahoo.com
Kathy DeMarco, 203 Putnam Road, 203 594-7956, kdemarco5@optonline.net

May is Membership Renewal Time! Get involved! Come Join the Fun!

Your membership and participation is important to the League. Please go to our website, print out the renewal form http://www.lwvnewcanaan.org/id35.html and send it with your check to:
LWVNC
 P.O. Box 383
New Canaan, CT 06840

Thank you in advance for your support!

Ruth Laird and Joanne Windas, Membership Co-Chairs